The Creative Space
Founded by Kamali Hill, MFA — a former DDT 2 dancer — The Creative Space launched in 2025 after a year of Ngoma mentorship, formalizing its partnership with Ngoma through a Memorandum of Understanding.
- 30 hours of strategic consultation with Shawn Short, MFA
- Facilities support throughout the planning year
- Marketing assistance for launch programming
- Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the partnership
On April 12 and October 25, 2025, The Creative Space presented 12 emerging choreographers to audiences at Dance Place's Brookland Studios — reaching 60+ audience members across the two showings.
The MOU enables The Creative Space to bring dance programming to DC's Northeast and Southeast communities — extending Ngoma's equitable-access mission while building organizational capacity for a new generation of DC dance leadership.
Textures Dance Theater
Founded by Marcus Isaiah, BFA — Textures Dance Theater achieved federal 501(c)(3) status, secured its first presenter contract, and debuted to more than 300 supporters at Publick Playhouse after 60+ hours of intensive Ngoma consulting.
- 60+ hours of intensive consulting led by Shawn Short, MFA
- Use of Ngoma's Ward 4 mixed-use facility for strategy sessions
- Document development workshops for 501(c)(3) registration
- Negotiation support for the first presenter contract
Public announcement of Textures Dance Theater at Dance Place — formal launch into DC's dance ecosystem.
Federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit registration achieved — Ngoma-supported document development.
Debut performance at Publick Playhouse in Cheverly, MD — 300+ audience members. DDT Resident Choreographer Kareem B. Goodwin presented works during the evening.
What the Incubator Provides
Eight institutional supports designed to take an emerging dance organization from creative vision to operational reality.
Direct strategic counsel from Founding Director Shawn Short, MFA — drawing on Ngoma's 14+ years of nonprofit dance leadership.
Use of Ngoma's Ward 4 mixed-use space for ideation sessions, document development, and strategic planning meetings.
Structured planning sessions that translate creative vision into mission, programs, governance, and a sustainable business model.
Brand foundation, digital asset planning, and public-facing launch support to introduce new organizations to the field.
Document development and procedural support to achieve federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit registration — a proven outcome for past cohort members.
In-kind professional services — legal, accounting, design, production — extended at no cost to incubated organizations.
Hands-on workshops covering bylaws, articles of incorporation, program design documents, and grant-readiness materials.
Direct introductions and contract negotiation support with established DMV presenters — Dance Place, Publick Playhouse, and others.
Turn Your Vision Into Your Legacy
Are you an emerging dance artist or organization ready to build something lasting? The Ngoma Artist Incubator works with founders whose creative vision is ready for institutional form — and whose mission aligns with equitable, sustainable, community-rooted Black dance leadership.
Inquiries are reviewed confidentially. All cohort decisions made by Ngoma's Founding Director with input from program leadership.
The future of Black dance leadership is cultivated, not chanced.
Every gift directly funds the consulting hours, document development, facility access, and presenter relations that turn an emerging dance founder's vision into an institutional reality. The Creative Space and Textures Dance Theater are now part of DC's cultural landscape because someone funded the work that made them possible.
Ngoma Center for Dance is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.